Rear View Mirror: 1970 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia

Beneath the sheet metal, the Karmann-Ghia was much the same as the Volkswagen Beetle. But, it was that swoopy skin that made all the difference. Where the friendly, utilitarian Beetle had a rounded form, the Karmann-Ghia wore a refined, Italian design, that gave the 2+2 coupe a sportier look and feel. Penned by the Ghia studio and built by the West German coachbuilders at Karmann, the Ghia first appeared in 1956. A convertible model joined the coupe two years later. Like its sibling the Beetle, it was updated by recurring, running changes throughout its lifespan. For example, the ’68 model year brought the addition of front disc brakes, and engine upgrades found their way under the hood of both Beetle and Ghia periodically over the years.

The sticker price for a 1970 Karmann-Ghia coupe like our featured car was $2,399, while the convertible version sold for $2,609. The model year 1970 brought with it a larger, 1585cc, air-cooled four cylinder engine. Of course, “larger” is a relative term. The newly up-sized motor measured roughly 97 cubic inches of displacement, and generated just 57 horsepower. If acceleration was leisurely, the Ghia at least looked fast, and was economical to boot. This combination of fuel frugality in a fashionable wrapper wore well with auto buyers. Though short in comparison to the Beetle, the Karmann-Ghia’s lifespan was long relative to most cars. Production ceased in 1974.